Thanks for the video....I remember as a kid building models of these planes and then hanging them from my bedroom ceiling at different heights, directions and angles so they looked like they were in flight. ;-)
Where to begin on how awesome this is. The loose flight suits, the jog out to planes, taking off with the canopies open!, the way the slot kicks in that skidding turn right after takeoff, it's all just so raw and badass. Don't getme wrong, love the blues today, but this is the ultimate for me. America at it's peak. Absolutely no BS. Oh, and the formation landing.
Bob Rasmussen was a Captain and CO of schools Command when I went through AOCS in 1981. Always knew he was a Blue Angel but never saw any footage of him flying before!
I easily recall seeing the blue Angels perform at the South Weymouth (MA) Naval Air Station during the mid 50s. A number of F9F-6s and F9F-8s made up part of the naval air force that was stationed there.
+Phayzyre105 ...glad to hear it,..one of these nights I gota go,..and ... STEAL THE THING,..MY UNCLE DESIGNED,... AND BUILT THE THING WHEN HE RAN GRUMMEN AEROSPACE and i dont have one single souvineer,.... ,..SO i WONDER WHERE i CAN GET SOME JET FUEL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE Night,...? enquireing minds want to know,..ha ha ha
William Thurston LOL!! :) You're going to have one heck of a time doing that; it's mounted high up on metal pole aiming skyward! Here's a pic of it: www.flickr.com/photos/rnrobert/2464474645/ So, your uncle worked for Grumman? Cool! My grandfather worked just a few miles down the road at Republic Aviation. He was a systems analyst on P-47s, F-84s and F-105s.
.............................god bless,.......... a milwalkee sawzall,...and where theres,..... a will,..theres a way,...........yeah,.... I been,......to republic a few times,...and fairchild too,...farmingdale,..etc etc,...great place ,..miss it,.........my uncle didnt work,................... at,..... grummen,...............he,...... ran,...... grummen,.....there was,....... leroy grummen,......acually,...... it was the wright brothers,...........who,... hung with leroy,................then,.... there was ...leroy grummen,.............I met him once when I was a kid,..real small,...at my grandmothers house,...he liked me,......(.. I dont blame him ,..) ....he.said I was a good kid,..........then there was,...dave,...........................my uncle ,....and that ,.......was that,...... back in those days,.............and he,...was the head,....of,...and,...... designed,.......... the f9f,...an a few other things lost in history,...he worked with this other guy,......voight,?...kraught I think,... on the nuke cruise missle thing the regulus 1,.........I think ,..but,........ I believe he was in charge of the manufactureing,..... and development stuff ...I was to small ,..to remember ,...all I got was a stupid jet toy,...of guess what,...?.... the f9f,.......it might have even been a stinkin 86 for all I remember,..I liked the ferry boat I had better anyway,....so much for history eh,..?.,...I met him again later on in life,..he seemed like a nice guy,..and loved his airplanes..almost turned white when I told him who I was,...ha ha ha ,....well ,.....so goes the story,....
+Lucian Willi ........yeah uncle dave drew the thing up on a piece of paper,..we thurstons have a.hell of an eye,...I used to draw all the time too,...ya soulda seen some of my girlfriends,.....whoa,.............
In answer to Russ G - " I excerpted this from an online Blue Angles; Jet listing history" By the end of the 1940s, the Blue Angels were flying their first jet aircraft, the Grumman F9F-2 Panther. In response to the demands placed on Naval Aviation in the Korean Conflict, the team reported to the aircraft carrier USS Princeton as the nucleus of Fighter Squadron 191 (VF-191), "Satan's Kitten", in 1950. They were reorganized the next year (1951) and reported to NAS Corpus Christi, Texas, where they began flying the newer and faster version of the Panther, the F9F-5. The Blue Angels remained in Corpus Christi until the winter of 1954 when they relocated to their present home at NAS Pensacola, Florida. It was here that they progressed to the swept-wing Grumman F9F-8 Cougar. "(This is what they were flying in this Video.)" The ensuing 20 years saw the Blue Angels transition to two more aircraft, the Grumman F11F-1 Tiger (1957) and the McDonnell Douglas F-4J Phantom II (1969). "(So in answer to your question; the Grumman F11F-1 Tiger. This designation was changed in 1962 to the F-11A Tiger. In service, the Tiger operated from the carriers Intrepid, Lexington, Hancock, Bon Homme Richard, Shangri-La, Forrestal, Saratoga and Ranger. The F11F's career lasted only four years because its performance was inferior to the Vought F-8 Crusader and the J65 engine proved unreliable. Also, the range and endurance of the Tiger was found to be inadequate. Thus, the Navy cancelled all orders for the F11F-1P reconnaissance version and only 199 F11F-1 (F-11A) fighters were built.)" In December 1974, the Navy Flight Demonstration Team began flying the McDonnell Douglas A-4F Skyhawk II and was reorganized into the Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron. This reorganization permitted the establishment of a commanding officer vice a flight leader, added support officers, and further redefined the squadron's mission emphasizing the support of recruiting efforts. Cmdr. Tony Less was the squadron's first official commanding officer. On November 8, 1986, the Blue Angels completed their 40th anniversary year during ceremonies unveiling their present aircraft, the sleek McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet, the first dual-role fighter/attack aircraft now serving on the nation's front lines of defense. Since 1946, the Blue Angels have flown for more than 260 million spectators.
Great background on the history of the Blue Angels. It would have been cool to see the Blue Angels fly the Grumman Tiger - I think that aircraft is just beautiful. Also, to see the Blue Angels during the F-4 years (along with the Air Force Thunderbirds, who also flew F-4's during that time) must have been a aerobatic demonstration of brute power! I first saw the Blue Angels in 1976, when they were flying the A-4's at Selfridge ANG Base, Michigan. I remember the team leader was Casey Jones. Heck, I would have like to seen the Blue Angels in all of the aircraft they flew over their proud history!
Don't want to have it sound so sad but these were the planes I first saw them fly at Los Alamitos NAS maybe even that year (no later than '58). Before my cousins and step bros were born. The planes, the NAS, the people I was with and even the front yard we watched from are all gone. Except me.
That cougar sounded like it was a handful to fly but these guys make it look like it handles like a sports car. Navy Pilots are the best pilots in the world just because they can bring a jet like that to land on a boat in any weather
I saw the Blue Angels put on a demonstration at the now long-closed Weymouth Naval Air Station around 1964. What Grumman aircraft were they flying then?
In answer to Russ G - " I excerpted this from an online Blue Angles; Jet listing history" By the end of the 1940s, the Blue Angels were flying their first jet aircraft, the Grumman F9F-2 Panther. In response to the demands placed on Naval Aviation in the Korean Conflict, the team reported to the aircraft carrier USS Princeton as the nucleus of Fighter Squadron 191 (VF-191), "Satan's Kitten", in 1950. They were reorganized the next year (1951) and reported to NAS Corpus Christi, Texas, where they began flying the newer and faster version of the Panther, the F9F-5. The Blue Angels remained in Corpus Christi until the winter of 1954 when they relocated to their present home at NAS Pensacola, Florida. It was here that they progressed to the swept-wing Grumman F9F-8 Cougar. "(This is what they were flying in this Video.)" The ensuing 20 years saw the Blue Angels transition to two more aircraft, the Grumman F11F-1 Tiger (1957) and the McDonnell Douglas F-4J Phantom II (1969). "(So in answer to your question; the Grumman F11F-1 Tiger. This designation was changed in 1962 to the F-11A Tiger. In service, the Tiger operated from the carriers Intrepid, Lexington, Hancock, Bon Homme Richard, Shangri-La, Forrestal, Saratoga and Ranger. The F11F's career lasted only four years because its performance was inferior to the Vought F-8 Crusader and the J65 engine proved unreliable. Also, the range and endurance of the Tiger was found to be inadequate. Thus, the Navy cancelled all orders for the F11F-1P reconnaissance version and only 199 F11F-1 (F-11A) fighters were built.)" In December 1974, the Navy Flight Demonstration Team began flying the McDonnell Douglas A-4F Skyhawk II and was reorganized into the Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron. This reorganization permitted the establishment of a commanding officer vice a flight leader, added support officers, and further redefined the squadron's mission emphasizing the support of recruiting efforts. Cmdr. Tony Less was the squadron's first official commanding officer. On November 8, 1986, the Blue Angels completed their 40th anniversary year during ceremonies unveiling their present aircraft, the sleek McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet, the first dual-role fighter/attack aircraft now serving on the nation's front lines of defense. Since 1946, the Blue Angels have flown for more than 260 million spectators.
It's one thing to roll your own aircraft; how do the wingmen manage to roll their planes around the axis of the leader? And the pilot at the rear isn't on the same axis; he has to be above or below the jet blast of the leader or his engine would flame out.
All Navy aircraft with aft-sliding canopies took off and landed with their canopies open. Even from the carrier. The last Navy jet types to do so were the F3-H Demon, and F11 Tiger, I believe. Before this, all Navy prop fighters and other Navy aircraft during WW2 did this too. Taking off and landing with the canopy open was out of safety concerns so that if the plane had to ditch, the canopy wouldn't become jammed closed and drown the pilot or if the plane crash landed and experienced a fire, the deck crew could more easily get the pilot/crew out of the plane. Taking off and landing with *clamshell* style canopies was impossible, though. Today, with superior ejection seating and safety equipment, all Navy aircraft take off and land with the canopy closed.
TWG1979: The ejection seats were not Zero Altitude, Zero Airspeed. Therefore, in event of ditching on landing or takeoff, they wanted the canopy open for ready evacuation of the cockpit.
Lot of rubbish answers. The shot of the solo taking off clearly shows a closed canopy. First roll probably just staged. I flew those in training - Beeville TX - 1969 - the canopy was always closed on takeoff. Maybe we had the upgrade. Most reliable "instrument" was the piece of string yaw indicator screwed on the nose. Grossly underpowered but an absolute joy to fly once you got it up to about 450 kts.
Im pretty sure its a refueling probe. some cougars where fitted with them, some not. The blue angels have never been the top priority when it comes to the allocation of airframes, so its no surprise that they had an odd one in the mix. to me it makes this video even cooler.
Who added all the fake film processing artifacts (scratches, dirt, hair, etc.)? It ruins the video and there's no way it was part of the original footage. Now you've messed up the quality of historical footage and propagated it around the Internet. Good job!
Chuck Shotton ...How many times has that film been run through those hot ass vintage projectors for training purposes. (rhetorical question) Then stored in a metal container in non air conditioned closet, store room, warehouse, cargo hole, Aircraft Carrier flight deck, where a jet engine exhaust, blew it overboard, picked up by a Submarine, and shot out a torpedo tube, landed in Hollywood, where it was abused and damaged which created the hairs and scratches and crap!
Thanks for the video....I remember as a kid building models of these planes and then hanging them from my bedroom ceiling at different heights, directions and angles so they looked like they were in flight. ;-)
Where to begin on how awesome this is. The loose flight suits, the jog out to planes, taking off with the canopies open!, the way the slot kicks in that skidding turn right after takeoff, it's all just so raw and badass. Don't getme wrong, love the blues today, but this is the ultimate for me. America at it's peak. Absolutely no BS. Oh, and the formation landing.
The planes change but the young men who fly them never do. God bless them and all that follow.
Really beautiful...Great men, great era
Never too old to learn something I never realised the Blue Angels flew that aircraft thanks for posting
As a Kid in the Early 1960s a TV Series Called "Blue Angels" was On.
Bob Rasmussen was a Captain and CO of schools Command when I went through AOCS in 1981. Always knew he was a Blue Angel but never saw any footage of him flying before!
I easily recall seeing the blue Angels perform at the South Weymouth (MA) Naval Air Station during the mid 50s. A number of F9F-6s and F9F-8s made up part of the naval air force that was stationed there.
Cool video! One of these jets is on display at a visitors welcome center on the Florida/Alabama state line.
+Phayzyre105 ...glad to hear it,..one of these nights I gota go,..and ... STEAL THE THING,..MY UNCLE DESIGNED,... AND BUILT THE THING WHEN HE RAN GRUMMEN AEROSPACE and i dont have one single souvineer,.... ,..SO i WONDER WHERE i CAN GET SOME JET FUEL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE Night,...? enquireing minds want to know,..ha ha ha
William Thurston LOL!! :) You're going to have one heck of a time doing that; it's mounted high up on metal pole aiming skyward! Here's a pic of it: www.flickr.com/photos/rnrobert/2464474645/
So, your uncle worked for Grumman? Cool! My grandfather worked just a few miles down the road at Republic Aviation. He was a systems analyst on P-47s, F-84s and F-105s.
.............................god bless,.......... a milwalkee sawzall,...and where theres,..... a will,..theres a way,...........yeah,.... I been,......to republic a few times,...and fairchild too,...farmingdale,..etc etc,...great place ,..miss it,.........my uncle didnt work,................... at,..... grummen,...............he,...... ran,...... grummen,.....there was,....... leroy grummen,......acually,...... it was the wright brothers,...........who,... hung with leroy,................then,.... there was ...leroy grummen,.............I met him once when I was a kid,..real small,...at my grandmothers house,...he liked me,......(.. I dont blame him ,..) ....he.said I was a good kid,..........then there was,...dave,...........................my uncle ,....and that ,.......was that,...... back in those days,.............and he,...was the head,....of,...and,...... designed,.......... the f9f,...an a few other things lost in history,...he worked with this other guy,......voight,?...kraught I think,... on the nuke cruise missle thing the regulus 1,.........I think ,..but,........ I believe he was in charge of the manufactureing,..... and development stuff ...I was to small ,..to remember ,...all I got was a stupid jet toy,...of guess what,...?.... the f9f,.......it might have even been a stinkin 86 for all I remember,..I liked the ferry boat I had better anyway,....so much for history eh,..?.,...I met him again later on in life,..he seemed like a nice guy,..and loved his airplanes..almost turned white when I told him who I was,...ha ha ha ,....well ,.....so goes the story,....
Those planes are absolutely gorgeous
+Lucian Willi ........yeah uncle dave drew the thing up on a piece of paper,..we thurstons have a.hell of an eye,...I used to draw all the time too,...ya soulda seen some of my girlfriends,.....whoa,.............
Underrated plane.
In answer to Russ G - " I excerpted this from an online Blue Angles; Jet listing history"
By the end of the 1940s, the Blue Angels were flying their first jet aircraft, the Grumman F9F-2 Panther. In response to the demands placed on Naval Aviation in the Korean Conflict, the team reported to the aircraft carrier USS Princeton as the nucleus of Fighter Squadron 191 (VF-191), "Satan's Kitten", in 1950.
They were reorganized the next year (1951) and reported to NAS Corpus Christi, Texas, where they began flying the newer and faster version of the Panther, the F9F-5. The Blue Angels remained in Corpus Christi until the winter of 1954 when they relocated to their present home at NAS Pensacola, Florida. It was here that they progressed to the swept-wing Grumman F9F-8 Cougar.
"(This is what they were flying in this Video.)"
The ensuing 20 years saw the Blue Angels transition to two more aircraft, the Grumman F11F-1 Tiger (1957) and the McDonnell Douglas F-4J Phantom II (1969).
"(So in answer to your question; the Grumman F11F-1 Tiger. This designation was changed in 1962 to the F-11A Tiger. In service, the Tiger operated from the carriers Intrepid, Lexington, Hancock, Bon Homme Richard, Shangri-La, Forrestal, Saratoga and Ranger. The F11F's career lasted only four years because its performance was inferior to the Vought F-8 Crusader and the J65 engine proved unreliable. Also, the range and endurance of the Tiger was found to be inadequate. Thus, the Navy cancelled all orders for the F11F-1P reconnaissance version and only 199 F11F-1 (F-11A) fighters were built.)"
In December 1974, the Navy Flight Demonstration Team began flying the McDonnell Douglas A-4F Skyhawk II and was reorganized into the Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron. This reorganization permitted the establishment of a commanding officer vice a flight leader, added support officers, and further redefined the squadron's mission emphasizing the support of recruiting efforts. Cmdr. Tony Less was the squadron's first official commanding officer.
On November 8, 1986, the Blue Angels completed their 40th anniversary year during ceremonies unveiling their present aircraft, the sleek McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet, the first dual-role fighter/attack aircraft now serving on the nation's front lines of defense. Since 1946, the Blue Angels have flown for more than 260 million spectators.
Great background on the history of the Blue Angels. It would have been cool to see the Blue Angels fly the Grumman Tiger - I think that aircraft is just beautiful. Also, to see the Blue Angels during the F-4 years (along with the Air Force Thunderbirds, who also flew F-4's during that time) must have been a aerobatic demonstration of brute power! I first saw the Blue Angels in 1976, when they were flying the A-4's at Selfridge ANG Base, Michigan. I remember the team leader was Casey Jones.
Heck, I would have like to seen the Blue Angels in all of the aircraft they flew over their proud history!
Don't want to have it sound so sad but these were the planes I first saw them fly at Los Alamitos NAS maybe even that year (no later than '58). Before my cousins and step bros were born. The planes, the NAS, the people I was with and even the front yard we watched from are all gone. Except me.
Great video
RioVista is a small delta town Southwest of Sacramento. I could not imagine how small a town it was back then
I live near a park that has one of these planes on display.
awesome no matter the year or aircraft theyre flying. my first show was when they were flying f-4s
It's cool to see them flying this airplane
That cougar sounded like it was a handful to fly but these guys make it look like it handles like a sports car. Navy Pilots are the best pilots in the world just because they can bring a jet like that to land on a boat in any weather
Respect! Красавчики!
GREAT!!!!!!!!!
I saw the Blue Angels put on a demonstration at the now long-closed Weymouth Naval Air Station around 1964. What Grumman aircraft were they flying then?
In answer to Russ G - " I excerpted this from an online Blue Angles; Jet listing history"
By the end of the 1940s, the Blue Angels were flying their first jet aircraft, the Grumman F9F-2 Panther. In response to the demands placed on Naval Aviation in the Korean Conflict, the team reported to the aircraft carrier USS Princeton as the nucleus of Fighter Squadron 191 (VF-191), "Satan's Kitten", in 1950.
They were reorganized the next year (1951) and reported to NAS Corpus Christi, Texas, where they began flying the newer and faster version of the Panther, the F9F-5. The Blue Angels remained in Corpus Christi until the winter of 1954 when they relocated to their present home at NAS Pensacola, Florida. It was here that they progressed to the swept-wing Grumman F9F-8 Cougar.
"(This is what they were flying in this Video.)"
The ensuing 20 years saw the Blue Angels transition to two more aircraft, the Grumman F11F-1 Tiger (1957) and the McDonnell Douglas F-4J Phantom II (1969).
"(So in answer to your question; the Grumman F11F-1 Tiger. This designation was changed in 1962 to the F-11A Tiger. In service, the Tiger operated from the carriers Intrepid, Lexington, Hancock, Bon Homme Richard, Shangri-La, Forrestal, Saratoga and Ranger. The F11F's career lasted only four years because its performance was inferior to the Vought F-8 Crusader and the J65 engine proved unreliable. Also, the range and endurance of the Tiger was found to be inadequate. Thus, the Navy cancelled all orders for the F11F-1P reconnaissance version and only 199 F11F-1 (F-11A) fighters were built.)"
In December 1974, the Navy Flight Demonstration Team began flying the McDonnell Douglas A-4F Skyhawk II and was reorganized into the Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron. This reorganization permitted the establishment of a commanding officer vice a flight leader, added support officers, and further redefined the squadron's mission emphasizing the support of recruiting efforts. Cmdr. Tony Less was the squadron's first official commanding officer.
On November 8, 1986, the Blue Angels completed their 40th anniversary year during ceremonies unveiling their present aircraft, the sleek McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet, the first dual-role fighter/attack aircraft now serving on the nation's front lines of defense. Since 1946, the Blue Angels have flown for more than 260 million spectators.
Grumman F-11F-1 Tiger
Coolest video!!
It's one thing to roll your own aircraft; how do the wingmen manage to roll their planes around the axis of the leader? And the pilot at the rear isn't on the same axis; he has to be above or below the jet blast of the leader or his engine would flame out.
They took off with the canopies still open??
All Navy aircraft with aft-sliding canopies took off and landed with their canopies open. Even from the carrier. The last Navy jet types to do so were the F3-H Demon, and F11 Tiger, I believe. Before this, all Navy prop fighters and other Navy aircraft during WW2 did this too.
Taking off and landing with the canopy open was out of safety concerns so that if the plane had to ditch, the canopy wouldn't become jammed closed and drown the pilot or if the plane crash landed and experienced a fire, the deck crew could more easily get the pilot/crew out of the plane. Taking off and landing with *clamshell* style canopies was impossible, though. Today, with superior ejection seating and safety equipment, all Navy aircraft take off and land with the canopy closed.
That is so they can have a last cigarette
TWG1979: The ejection seats were not Zero Altitude, Zero Airspeed. Therefore, in event of ditching on landing or takeoff, they wanted the canopy open for ready evacuation of the cockpit.
Lot of rubbish answers. The shot of the solo taking off clearly shows a closed canopy. First roll probably just staged. I flew those in training - Beeville TX - 1969 - the canopy was always closed on takeoff. Maybe we had the upgrade. Most reliable "instrument" was the piece of string yaw indicator screwed on the nose. Grossly underpowered but an absolute joy to fly once you got it up to about 450 kts.
This is older than 1957.
It's all good and bad ass until the canopy hits you on the head! LOL 3:03
I don't suppose you've got any video of the Blue Angels flying in Hellcats or Bearcats?
Don Perry were you a RHAS pilot in the 80’s?
i have a f9f8 cougar in war thunder
Why does jet #2 have a Pitot or probe on its nose?
Im pretty sure its a refueling probe. some cougars where fitted with them, some not. The blue angels have never been the top priority when it comes to the allocation of airframes, so its no surprise that they had an odd one in the mix. to me it makes this video even cooler.
Who added all the fake film processing artifacts (scratches, dirt, hair, etc.)? It ruins the video and there's no way it was part of the original footage. Now you've messed up the quality of historical footage and propagated it around the Internet. Good job!
Chuck Shotton ...How many times has that film been run through those hot ass vintage projectors for training purposes. (rhetorical question) Then stored in a metal container in non air conditioned closet, store room, warehouse, cargo hole, Aircraft Carrier flight deck, where a jet engine exhaust, blew it overboard, picked up by a Submarine, and shot out a torpedo tube, landed in Hollywood, where it was abused and damaged which created the hairs and scratches and crap!